Thanksgiving

 We had a wonderful thanksgiving in Austin!  We stayed with my parents along with Kathleen, Chuck and Andrew and it was so fun to all be under one roof!  I think we will plan to do it again soon!

The kids spent lots of time outside as it was at least 75 degrees most of the time we were there!  It was gorgeous and I was reminded of how beautiful Austin is.  Growing up there, I certainly had no appreciation of this as it was all I knew.  Returning home now, I just love the drives on 360 between the cliffs.  Sides of the highways filled with trees, some changing colors and some adorned with Christmas ornaments.  Between this, the lakes and the hills, it makes me want to move...if only I didn't love life in Dallas so much!

I forgot my camera when we headed to Bill and Becky's for Thanksgiving, so I am lacking any actual Thanksgiving photos!  Here are some from our lunch at a burger place with a playground (I wish we had these in Dallas!).

Climbing the wall

This playground was huge - certainly meant for bigger kids than mine!

but that didn't stop Will...

...or Katie!

Klyde Warren Park

 We went to Klyde Warren Park this weekend.  It is a new park in Dallas that is located on top of Woodall Rodgers Freeway right off downtown.  It is a really great space and the kids play area is unique.  We haven't been to another play area like this!  Will and Katie had a great time playing and climbing.  Will already requested a return trip today, however, the kids are resting up for a visit with Santa this afternoon.  He is in town to light the tree in Snider Plaza.  Will is ready with his wish list which luckily has switched from a small t.v. with a small remote control to any and all Avenger action figures. I am wondering what Katie will think of Santa this year.  I am predicting tears...

busy climbing

investigating the water

running to see Dad and Will

In the tunnel

Sandy

Playing on the rocks

Putting on her own coat.  She doesn't like help anymore which means she often wears a coat backwards.

Andrew!

Will and Uncle Chuck.  This picture makes me realize how big Will really is!  He has lost any hint of being a toddler.

Climbing with downtown behind him

Puppets

My parents were in town this weekend, and my mom introduced Katie to puppets.  Katie loved Lamb Chop and also enjoyed the lion and bear.  I'm not sure who had more fun between Katie and my mom, but either way it was great to see them bond.  There is something so special about seeing your parents bond with your children, and I got a large dose of that this weekend!

I just love these red shoes!



Falling Back

 Falling back was pretty brutal this year.  My kids got the wrong memo and they sprang forward. 

Will was sleeping in Katie's room while my parents were in town.  We set up a tent in her room for Will and he slept really well...until Katie stirred in the morning.  She typically stirs around 5:30am and then goes back to sleep.  I can sometimes hear her from our room, but it never lasts long and then she is back to sleep.

Her stirring woke Will.  He told me he "woke up to take care of her."  So, they were both up at 5:30am both days this weekend. 

I am not really a morning person, so by the time the sun was up, I didn't care that they wanted to go outside and play with wet sand in their pjs.  Or put wet sand in the cozy coupe which is typically an inside toy.  I did draw the line at running through the sprinkler because it was just a little too cold.  They seemed perfectly content playing...until they crashed.  Katie took a 4.5 hour nap and Will slept for 3.5 hours.  I got a nap in too which made for a great Sunday. 

Today they are back to a normal schedule.  I hope it stays that way!

Sunday at the Park

 We headed to the park this weekend and had a great time playing.  This post is heavy in Will pictures because he was laughing so hard sometimes he forgot I was taking his picture! 

We love "Ali and Nelson's Park".  I don't know it's real name, but it is right by the Highland Park pool and it gets such beautiful light while being fairly shaded.  It's a favorite of ours on the weekends.

Down the slide

My handsome little guy

Heading down to the creek to skip rocks

Walking p in the beautiful light

Stealing a ride on a photographer's prop

School Pictures

 We got Will's school pictures today, and despite my initial thought, we actually did not miss a memo to wear a white shirt.  They told us he could wear either uniform and apparently we are the only ones who opted for the blue shirt!  It has been fun for Will to tell us every one's name in the picture so we can put a face with the names we hear about regularly. 

Today I read to his class which was really fun.  Will got to pick 3 books from home for us to read, so we took Officer Buckle and Gloria (thanks Carey!), Little Blue Truck Leads the Way, and Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site (thanks Meagan!).  Will tried to recite the books as I read.  He sat on my lap as I read and loved telling his friends about his books. 

It was such a fun experience and again it elevates my respect for these teachers.  They are so patient and sweet to this group of 16 3-4 year olds!